More than 18 months of regional planning and state-local cooperation culminates this week with the installation of federal All American Road signs along a 27-mile stretch of Woodward Avenue.
A total of 50 signs worth $45,000 will be installed as part of the 2009 All American Road project, a
U.S. Dept of Transportation program that awards funding for roadways deemed worthy of distinction and therefore dollars that make the roadways more appealing, useful, recognizable and memorable. Many such roadways around the country have been deemed scenic parkways, historic routes and such. The majority of Woodward signs will be installed this week by the
Michigan Dept of Transportation (MDOT) with a few not coming until spring.
Royal Oak-based WA3, the
Woodward Avenue Action Association, is the local administrator of the program and worked with MDOT, all cities along the route, and
DTE on the best placement and process for the sign installation
"The intent is to really bring awareness that this is an exclusive and important designation so that when visitors are here they say, 'Wow I've seen that in other parts o
f America,' and they understand this is an important part of history," says Heather Carmona, executive director of WA3.
"They're very different signs, not your typical MDOT road sign...It was a long process, 18-20 months. It was very challenging to get these different signs, but MDOT was very accommodating," Carmona says. "We were able to do something that was outside of the box and get something that was eye catching and appealing and safe."
A prototype sign is located at McDonald's on Woodward near 13 Mile.
Of the 50 signs, 23 will be installed in Detroit. The remainder run north through Oakland County communities.
Source: Heather Carmona, executive director of the Woodward Avenue Action Association
Writer: Kim North Shine
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